CENTRAL NEWS
The occupation and assimilation policies of the occupying Turkish state on the peoples of Kurdistan is increasing day by day. One of the most used areas of assimilating policies is schools.
The assimilation policies on Northern Kurdistan (Turkey-occupied), which Erdogan names “the ignorant Southeastern and Eastern Anatolia,” continue to progress in the name of enlightenment. Thus, these policies are institutionalised in many centres, from schools to cafes, to sports centres and even culture centres.
Naturally, Erdogan’s predecessors are inclined to be akin: alas, to understand this dictator one must look at the former dictator (Ataturk). Ataturk’s focus remained largely on the regions of Dersim, Xarpêt, Erzirom and Erzingan which form a line to Turkey from the central regions of Northern Kurdistan. While massacres were being committed elsewhere in Northern Kurdistan, it must be noted that the aim of these whimsical massacres was solely to extirpate, while the massacres committed in the abovementioned regions were far more strategic. Here, the despot would apply assimilation policies after not yielding results through massacres.
First, the mother tongue was banned. Every movement, word, personality and language of the female students who were admitted to boarding schools were extorted from essence under the name of modernization, the young girls are programmed with a culture which does not belong to them- or anyone for that matter.
In the early days, families were hesitant to send their children to school. After many years of Kemalist torment, and with the aid of these trained young girls, eventually families themselves would throw their children into these hell holes named “school.” The subconscious ordered a better life, that their children be free from persecution and murder. Stil they have neither had a better life nor have they survived being killed. Contrary to popular belief, extensive knowledge cannot be drawn from the futile education systems being served on golden platters. Growing without the consciousness or awareness of identity, a person can achieve little more than becoming a specialist; hence the statistics of Kurdish philosophers wilting in Turkey’s political dungeons. The fact remains that a free-thinking Kurd is a dangerous Kurd.
Starting the assimilation system, a Kurdish child is firstly taught is that every characteristic of their identity is uncivilized, vulgar. Made to feel ashamed, contradictions become rigorous and the last conflict before integrity is parted with is arduous. When all is lost you turn to the reminders of your identity, the root of your newly found shame: your mother. “Be quiet,” your teacher tells you, “otherwise your teacher will beat you.” (those who do make a sound are threatened to be thrown from school).
Those students who were not well-behaved are dead ladies and gentlemen because we let them die.
NC/Axin Mahir Dicle
